Topical Questions

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I am concerned about the investment being made in 36 new and better community diagnostic centres in shopping centres and high streets across England. This represents a significant expansion in diagnostics, shorter waits for tests, checks, and scans, and an NHS on the road to recovery.

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A constituent of mine, Emma, has been left with significant injuries following poor maternity care during childbirth. She has fought for over 20 years for corrective treatment which was deemed cosmetic despite impacting her mental health and relationships. What steps can be taken to ensure women in such circumstances have access to necessary treatment?

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Reports indicate individuals boasting of 10 days off following the end of recent BMA industrial action. Does this behaviour represent a slap in the face to patients whose treatments have been cancelled and NHS staff who had to pick up the pieces?

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This is a rare occasion, as I agree with the Secretary of State. The increasingly militant stance adopted by the BMA is plainly out of step with some resident doctors, who continue to report for duty. The Government’s handling of this dispute has been marked by inconsistency. First, they attempted to buy their way out of trouble, then they withdrew the training places that this House voted for. Instead of persisting with a failed strategy, is it not time for the Government to heed our calls and bring forward legislation to ban doctors from striking?

Question

The much-loved Pembridge hospice in north Kensington has been closed to in-patients for several years, meaning that an area with acute health inequality has very limited palliative care options, despite a promise from the new West London integrated care board to provide enhanced care beds in all its boroughs. Will the Minister join me in urging the ICB to set up a meaningful engagement process with residents to secure these urgent care beds as soon as possible, potentially at Pembridge, and to bring proper palliative and end-of-life options back to our community?

Question

Wherever I go in North Shropshire, constituents tell me that access to a GP only gets worse when new homes are built, and they are right. Across the country, there are billions of pounds in unspent community infrastructure levies for new surgeries, and the average number of families that a GP serves has gone up by 917 since 2015. Will the Minister support Liberal Democrat calls for CIL to be used to support the early running costs of new GP practices, or to expand existing ones, as soon as people move into new housing, so that GP access really does come first when housing developments happen?

Question

Short waiting lists for cataract surgery are a success story, thanks in part to the partnership between the NHS and providers such as SpaMedica, headquartered in my constituency. However, ICB indicative activity plans could see waiting lists increase from weeks to over four months. How will cataract patients be protected while we maintain those all-important short waiting lists?

Question

Last week, the Secretary of State announced £10 million for the Royal Berkshire hospital to fund a new site. After years of Conservative neglect, £400 million is needed to maintain the existing Royal Berks until rebuilding starts in 2039. What is the Minister doing to support the hospital and its excellent staff to help fix its many maintenance issues?

Question

Can I first take this opportunity to wish a very happy Vaisakhi to the Sikhs around the world who are celebrating it? Residents in my Smethwick constituency are benefiting from the investment in and changes to the NHS introduced by this Labour Government; the benefits include shorter waiting times and shorter ambulance waiting times. Can the Secretary of State tell us what progress has been made in implementing the Government's 10-year plan for the NHS?

Question

In Epsom and Ewell, many residents face a daily battle to get a GP appointment. There are numerous potential housing developments on the horizon, and the rising population is set to put even more pressure on already stretched GP services. The Liberal Democrats would require developers to build new GP surgeries, ready for when residents move in. Can the Government explain what they are doing to support GPs in my constituency, so that they can manage the surge in patient demand from day one of a development being completed, rather than leaving communities to pay the price later?

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What more can the Government do to ensure that social enterprises delivering NHS services get the same support as internal NHS trusts, and play a bigger role in NHS reform?

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The British Dental Association has highlighted that current budgets allow just 39% of adults to access NHS treatment within a two-year period. Is that really the height of the Government's ambition, and if not, what access percentage are the Government aiming for?

Question

Increasing the uptake of bowel cancer screening improves early diagnosis and saves lives. About a third of those eligible in Scotland are not completing FIT tests, with rates even lower in the most deprived areas. What collaborative work is being done to improve participation and reduce health inequalities?

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My constituents in Maldon have waited more than 3 30 years for a new health hub replacing St Peter's hospital. Despite an unsuccessful first attempt by the ICB, may I press the Government to include Maldon in the second round? Will the Secretary of State meet me and my right hon. Friend to discuss this matter?

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The James Williams healthy living centre has opened in my constituency. More residents can now access care locally instead of traveling to the hospital. Will the Secretary of State join me for its official opening in the summer?

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The changes that the Government made in January to prioritise British graduates for NHS training places were very welcome indeed, but the current system of random allocation demoralises and disincentivises our brightest graduates, and it causes profound uncertainty for people at the start of their career. Will the Secretary of State consider changing the process, so that those places are instead allocated on merit?

Question

At 2 pm today, many Members will be attending the funeral of Phil Woolas who died from glioblastoma brain tumour on 14 March. I am sure everyone would wish to send condolences but does the Secretary of State agree that condolences are not enough given no improvement in treatment for this condition in 40 years?

Question

Cerys was 22 when she took her life while an in-patient at Park House in Greater Manchester, with the coroner describing the unit as a 'shambles'. Reports on preventing future deaths are issued but no mechanism ensures recommendations are acted upon. How can accountability be strengthened?

Question

Patients in Chickerell often struggle to access GP services in their area, and instead must travel long distances. Some years ago, it was confirmed that a new surgery should be built in Chickerell. However, significant delays mean that we are still waiting for that surgery. Will the Minister work with me and the NHS locally to finally deliver a new GP surgery in Chickerell?

Question

Twenty-two people a day are diagnosed with lobular breast cancer, including my colleague Councillor Fiona Corps in North East Fife, but many more are living with it, because researchers and clinicians know so little about it. In advance of vigils next week, can we ensure funding for the Moon Shot Project, to give these women hope?

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The infected blood inquiry recommended action to protect the safety of haemophilia care, but there is mounting concern among clinicians and patients alike that recommendation 9 is not being implemented. Will the Minister meet me and members of the all-party parliamentary group on haemophilia and contaminated blood to discuss these real concerns?

Question

It is welcome news that NHS England has reduced the faecal immunochemical test threshold from 120 micrograms to 80 micrograms, bringing England into line with Scotland and Wales. We now need investment in endoscopy and other related treatments to ensure that people suffering from bowel cancer are spotted early and given the ultimate chance of survival. Could Ministers look at further investment here to increase survival rates?

Question

My constituent Harley Harris is 15. He has spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome, which has caused his spine to curve 120° and damaged his lungs, leaving him with significantly reduced lung function and in continual pain. Harley needs lifesaving surgery, but his family have been unable to get a referral to have it performed in the UK. Will the Minister commit to urgently reviewing Harley’s case to ascertain what support can be provided to him and his family?

Question

In 2022, Grantham saw the opening of one of the country’s first community diagnostic centres; since then, more than 100,000 tests have been completed for the local population. Now, I want the same for the town of Bourne. Will the Minister meet me, so that I can make the case for a new community diagnostic centre in Bourne?

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Will the Secretary of State join me in welcoming the success of sickle cell bypass units in north-west London and across the country in reducing pressure on emergency departments, while improving care for sickle cell patients? Does my right hon. Friend recognise that the future of these units is threatened, and will he meet me to discuss the need for ongoing central funding?

Question

The MP attended the Beat the Odds event in his constituency, where 36 grassroots mental health organisations expressed a clear need for more financial support. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure these organisations receive funding to deliver frontline services that save lives?